X-ray photography system

ABSTRACT

An X-ray photography device capable of visualizing the operating state or position of a support unit in an image system during examinations with memory switches and enhancing the operability of the memory switches is provided. When a plurality of memory switches  30   a - 30   i  is operated, target rotation information corresponding to the memory switches are read from a target rotation information memory unit  40 , and a C-arm is controlled to rotate, so as to make actual rotation information consistent with the target rotation information. The memory switches  30   a - 30   i  are respectively arranged in association with rotation directions and rotation angles to designate specific storage areas in the target rotation information memory unit  40  corresponding to the directions and angles. During the rotation control or when the actual rotation information is consistent with the target rotation information, the corresponding display lamp (one of display lamps  31   a - 31   i ) of the operated memory switch is turned on.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an X-ray photography device capable of making an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector supported face to face for rotating along and around a body axis of a detected body, so as to perform an X-ray photography in multi-directions.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional X-ray photography device generally includes the following components: a C-arm for supporting and making an X-ray tube and an X-ray image intensifier face to face, a position detection portion for detecting actual rotation information on rotation directions (along and around a body axis of a detected body lying on a bed) and rotation angles related to positions of the C-arm around the detected body, an input portion for inputting target rotation information on rotation directions and rotation angles as targets of the C-arm, and a rotation control portion for controlling the rotation of the C-arm, so as to make the input target rotation information consistent with the actual rotation information from the position detection portion.

The input portion for inputting the target rotation information includes a rotation direction key for indicating the rotation directions, an angle set key for setting the rotation angles, a plurality of memory switches for storing pieces of target rotation information set by the rotation direction key and the angle set key, and a memory execution key for performing the operation of storing the target rotation information into the memory switches. In addition, the plurality of memory switches is configured so that one memory switch can be selected by sequentially switching the numerical values in an up-down manner or directly designating a numerical value through number keys.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the above X-ray photography device, the multi-directional rotation directions of the C-arm are shown as follows. In a state that the C-arm rotates with the body axis of the detected body as a center (around the body axis), the rotation direction towards the left side is represented as “LAO” (left anterior oblique), and the opposite rotation direction towards the right side is represented as “RAO” (right anterior oblique) observed from the head side of the detected body. Besides, in a state that the C-arm rotates along the body axis of the detected body (in the body axis direction), the rotation direction towards the head of the detected body is represented as “CRAN” (CRANIAL), and the opposite rotation direction towards the feet is represented as “CAUD” (CAUDAL).

In the X-ray photography device, first, the target rotation information is pre-stored in the following manner before photographing. First, a rotation direction (LAO, RAO, CRAN, CAUD) is designated through the rotation direction key, and a rotation angle is designated through the angle set key. Then, the serial number of the memory switch is designated and the memory execution key is pressed, so as to store the target rotation information including the rotation direction and rotation angle into the specified memory switch. Afterward, the serial number of the memory switch is sequentially changed, and the same operation is performed repeatedly to set pieces of target rotation information into the memory switches respectively.

Then, during the photography, the photographer designates the serial number of the memory switch in which the required target rotation information is stored, and the target rotation information stored in the memory switch will be output to the rotation control portion. The rotation control portion input with the target rotation information controls the rotation of the C-arm, so as to make the actual rotation information from the position detection portion consistent with the target rotation information. After that, at the time when the actual rotation information is consistent with the target rotation information, an X-ray beam is exposed from the X-ray tube and an X-ray image is thus obtained from the X-ray image intensifier. Next, the memory switch with the required serial number is designated in turn to perform the photography in multi-directions.

However, in a cardioangiographic examination with the X-ray photography device, generally a contrast agent is injected into the detected body and photographs are taken in nine directions as shown below.

That is, it is especially frequent to take photographs in directions represented by altogether nine pieces of rotation information. The nine pieces of rotation information are rotation angles of the left side (LAO) 30°, vertical direction (0°), and right side (RAO) 30° around the body axis at rotation angles of the head (CRAN) 30°, vertical direction (0°), and feet (CAUD) 30° along the body axis.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the above conventional X-ray photography device (Patent Document 1). A C-arm 1 for supporting and making an X-ray tube 2 and an X-ray detector 3 face to face is propelled by a drive motor M3 to rotate and move about a detected body M, and further driven by drive motors M1 and M2 to rotate along and around a body axis of the detected body M.

An operation board 20 is provided with a plurality of switches and is used for indicating various rotation directions and rotation angles of the C-arm 1. The operation board 20 also has the function of inputting the target rotation information including the required rotation direction and rotation angle. A central processing unit (CPU) 21 inputs the target rotation information from the operation board 20 and controls the rotation directions and rotation angles of the drive motors M1, M2 (equivalent to the actual rotation information about the rotation directions and rotation angles), so as to make the actual rotation information consistent with the target rotation information. Moreover, MD1 and MD2 are motor driven circuits for enabling the drive motors M1 and M2 to perform rotation drive through an instruction signal from the CPU 21 respectively, and MD3 is a motor driven circuit for enabling the drive motor M3 to perform rotation drive through an operating signal from the operation board 20. The CPU 21 performs movement control on the motor driven circuits after obtaining the actual rotation information from rotary encoders R1-R3, so as to make the C-arm 1 consistent with the target rotation information.

A display panel 22 is adopted to display the actual rotation information including the rotation directions (CRAN, CAUD, LAO, RAO) and rotation angles of the drive motors M1 and M2 or to display the target rotation information stored in the memory switches for the photographer. During the control of the CPU 21 to make the actual rotation information consistent with the target rotation information, a display control portion 23 controls the display panel 22, so that the display panel 22 displays the rotation direction or rotation angle in a manner of flashing on and off intermittently, or stops the flashing and turns on when the above two pieces of information are consistent.

An additional operation board 30 has a function of storing or invoking the target rotation information when the photographer inputs the target rotation information through the operation board 20. The additional operation board 30 is provided with a SET switch 30 j for instructing the CPU 21 to start rotation control when the target rotation information input through nine memory switches 30 a-30 i and the operation board 20 is stored in a target rotation information memory or one of the memory switches 30 a-30 i is turned on, so as to make the target rotation information consistent with the actual rotation information accordingly.

Each of the memory switches 30 a-30 i is arranged at a position on the additional operation board 30 associated with the rotation direction and rotation angle observed from the plane of the detected body M. That is, the memory switch 30 a is arranged at a position representing the CRAN and LAO directions, the memory switch 30 b is arranged at a position only representing the CRAN direction, and the memory switch 30 c is arranged at a position representing the CRAN and RAO directions. Besides, the memory switch 30 d is arranged at a position only representing the LAO direction, the memory switch 30 e is arranged at a position with a rotation angle of 0° in spite of the rotation direction, and the memory switch 30 f is arranged at a position only representing the RAO direction. Similarly, the memory switch 30 g is arranged at a position representing the CAUD and LAO directions, the memory switch 30 h is arranged at a position only representing the CAUD direction, and the memory switch 30 i is arranged at a position representing the CAUD and RAO directions.

The target rotation information memory 40 is used for storing the target rotation information corresponding to each of the memory switches 30 a-30 i of the additional operation board 30 in the following manner. That is, the target rotation information is input through the operation board 20. In detail, the target rotation information is stored at a corresponding address through the CPU 21 by pressing one of the memory switches 30 a-30 i and a set memory switch (not shown) on the operation board 20. FIG. 8 shows a state that the target rotation information is stored in the target rotation information memory 40 in this manner of corresponding to each of the memory switches.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.     08-150137

In the above conventional X-ray photography device, the operating state of the device will be displayed on the display panel 22. That is, the rotation angles in the LAO and RAO directions of the C-arm 1 are displayed on a display portion 22 e, and the rotation angles in the CRAN and CAUD directions of the C-arm 1 are displayed on a display portion 22 f without manual operations through the memory switches.

Moreover, the memory switches 30 a-30 g are used to make the device operate. When the memory switches are turned on, display lamps 22 a-22 d representing the LAO, RAO, CRAN, and CAUD directions that are in accordance with the stored rotation information will be lighted, and the rotation angles corresponding to the stored rotation information is displayed on the display portions 22 e and 22 f.

For example, if the memory switch 30 a is turned on, the display lamps 22 a and 22 c representing the LAO and CRAN directions will be lighted, and the display portions 22 e and 22 f will respectively display 30° according to the target rotation information stored in the target rotation information memory 40 shown in FIG. 8.

Then, by turning on the SET switch 30 j and according to the rotation information stored in the selected memory switch, the CPU 21 continuously performs the control operation till the C-arm 1 arrives at a destination based on the target rotation information. At this time, the display portions 22 e and 22 f are switched to display the actual rotation angle according to the actual angle information obtained through the rotary encoders R1 and R1.

Here, the state displayed on the display panel 22 only includes information about the angle, and thus the following problem exists. That is, it is difficult to visualize the position of the C-arm 1 after any one of the nine memory switches 30 a-30 i is operated. Especially as the function to make the actual rotation information of the memory switch consistent with the target rotation information is commonly adopted as the routine work in clinical examinations, the operability is expected to be enhanced.

In addition, each of the memory switches 30 a-30 g is operated in turn before ending a series of routine work, so sometimes the operator finds it difficult to figure out the memory switch selected previously during the examination. Therefore, the circumstance that the operator hesitates to turn on a memory switch may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an X-ray photography device capable of visualizing the position the C-arm 1 operates towards and the position the C-arm 1 has arrived at during a series of examinations using the memory switches. Moreover, the present invention is directed to an X-ray photography device capable of easily figuring out the memory switch selected previously during the sequential operation on the memory switches 30 a-30 g.

The X-ray photography device of the present invention performs X-ray photography in multi-directions of a detected body. The X-ray photography device includes a support unit for supporting and making an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector face to face and capable of rotating along and around a body axis (referred to as rotation directions hereinafter) of the detected body lying on a bed; a position detection unit for detecting actual rotation information about rotation directions and rotation angles related to positions of the support unit around the detected body; a plurality of memory switches respectively arranged in association with the rotation directions; a target rotation information memory unit for storing target rotation information about rotation directions and rotation angles as targets of the support unit corresponding to the memory switches respectively; display lamps respectively arranged in accordance with the memory switches; a rotation control unit for reading the target rotation information corresponding to the memory switches from the target rotation information memory unit and controlling the rotation of the support unit during the operation on the memory switches, so as to make the actual rotation information from the position detection unit consistent with the read-out target rotation information; and a display control unit for driving the corresponding display lamp of the operated memory switch during the rotation control or when the actual rotation information is consistent with the target rotation information.

In the X-ray photography device of the present invention, the display control unit changes the turn-on state of the display lamp when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information.

Further, in the X-ray photography device of the present invention, the display control unit performs a drive control during the rotation control to make the corresponding display lamp of the operated memory switch flash on and off intermittently or turned on, and performs a control when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information to make the display lamp turned on or flash on and off intermittently.

In the X-ray photography device of the present invention, the display control unit further includes a drive selection unit for determining whether to drive the display lamp when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information.

The X-ray photography device of the present invention further includes an input unit for inputting the target rotation information, and an operation unit for storing the input target rotation information into the target rotation information memory unit respectively corresponding to the memory switches.

In the X-ray photography device of the present invention, the display control unit drives the corresponding display lamp of the memory switch related to the target rotation information input from the input unit.

In the X-ray photography device of the present invention, the display control unit changes the driven state of the display lamp when operating on the corresponding memory switch of the driven display lamp.

The X-ray photography device of the present invention further includes a read-in control unit for allowing the target rotation information memory unit to work only after the corresponding memory switch of the driven display lamp is operated.

Moreover, a method for operating an X-ray photography device is also provided for performing X-ray photography in multi-directions of a detected body. The method includes the following steps. First, an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector are supported while facing each other, and any one of a plurality of memory switches respectively arranged in association with rotation directions of a support unit is operated. The support unit is capable of rotating along and around a body axis (referred to as rotation directions hereinafter) of the detected body lying on a bed. Next, target rotation information corresponding to the operated memory switch is read from a target rotation information memory unit. The target rotation information memory unit is pre-stored with actual rotation information about rotation directions and rotation angles of the support unit in this manner of corresponding to the memory switches. Then, the rotation of the support unit is controlled to make the actual rotation information from a position detection unit consistent with the read-out target rotation information. The position detection unit is used for detecting the actual rotation information of the support unit. Finally, a display lamp corresponding to the operated memory switch is driven during the rotation control or when the actual rotation information is consistent with the target rotation information. The display lamps are arranged in accordance with the memory switches respectively.

Effects of the Invention

The X-ray photography device provided by the present invention arranges display lamps respectively corresponding to a plurality of memory switches, and drives the corresponding display lamp of the memory switch during the rotation control of a display control unit according to the rotation information stored in the memory switches or when the actual rotation information is consistent with the target rotation information (the destination is arrived). As the memory switches are arranged in association with the rotation directions and the rotation angles, it is easy to figure out which memory switch is based to form the operating state of the C-arm or which memory switch is to be operated next.

The X-ray photography device of the present invention changes the turn-on state of the display lamp through the display control unit when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information. Therefore, the operating state and destination arrival state of the C-arm can be intuitively visualized.

Moreover, the drive control is performed during the rotation control, so as to make the corresponding display lamp of the operated memory switch flash on and off intermittently or turned on. Further, as the display lamp is controlled to be turned on or flash on and off intermittently when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information, whether the C-arm is in an operating state or has arrived at the destination may be known more intuitively.

The X-ray photography device of the present invention includes an input unit and an operation unit. The input unit is used for inputting the target rotation information about the rotation directions and rotation angles as targets of the support unit. The operation unit stores the input target rotation information into storage areas of the target rotation information memory unit respectively corresponding to the memory switches associated with the rotation directions and rotation angles. Therefore, the operation of storing the target rotation information into the target rotation information memory unit can be performed easily.

The X-ray photography device of the present invention adopts the display control unit to drive the corresponding display lamp of the memory switch related to the target rotation information input from the input unit. Therefore, the memory switch stored with the rotation information can be known assuredly.

In the X-ray photography device of the present invention, when the corresponding memory switch of the driven display lamp is operated, the display control unit is employed to change the driven state of the display lamp. Therefore, after selecting the memory switch, it is also possible to figure out which memory switch the above rotation information is to be stored before the actual storage operation.

The X-ray photography device of the present invention makes the target rotation information memory unit work only after the memory switch displayed in a driven state is selected, so as to assuredly prevent the target rotation information from being stored into the storage area of the wrong memory switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view illustrating a brief configuration of an X-ray photography device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a partial cross-section of a rotation mechanism of a C-arm.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block view illustrating a control system of an X-ray photography device.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process for setting target rotation information.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the process of X-ray photographing.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the relations between rotation directions and rotation angles.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block view illustrating a control system of a conventional X-ray photography device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the content of a target rotation information memory.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS

-   -   1 C-arm 2 X-ray tube 3 X-ray image intensifier 20 operation         board 22 display panel 30 additional operation board 30 a˜30 i         memory switch 30 j SET switch M detected body M1˜M3 motor R1˜R3         rotary encoder

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view illustrating a brief configuration of an X-ray photography device according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a C-arm 1 capable of moving about a detected body M is disposed surrounding the detected body M in the manner of being hung on a ceiling with the detected body M clamped there-between. The two ends of the C-arm 1 respectively support and make an X-ray tube 2 and an X-ray detector 3 face to face. The C-arm 1 is capable of rotating along and around a body axis (i.e., rotation directions) of the detected body M as well as rotating and moving surrounding the detected body M.

Next, a rotation mechanism is illustrated with reference to a plan view of a partial cross-section of the C-arm 1 in FIG. 2. First, the rotation of the C-arm 1 (a support unit) along the body axis of the detected body M (i.e., the head of the detected body M rotating in a CRAN direction and the feet of the detected body M rotating in a CAUD direction) is realized through a drive mechanism inside an arm holder 4 of the C-arm 1. A portion of a belt (or chain) 5 with both ends fixed on the C-arm 1 is received in the arm holder 4, and the belt 5 is mounted on a drive roll 6. A rotary encoder R1 functioning as a position detection unit capable of detecting the rotation direction and rotation amount of a drive motor M1 for rotating the drive roll 6 is disposed in the arm holder 4 (however, as shown in the figure, the rotary encoder R1 is disposed outside the arm holder 4). The C-arm 1 is driven to rotate along the body axis of the detected body M by the belt 5 under the rotation effect of the drive motor M1. In addition, the symbol 7 represents a guide roll for guiding the belt 5 driven by the drive roller 6.

The rotation of the C-arm 1 around the body axis of the detected body M (the rotation direction towards the left side is LAO and the rotation direction in the opposite direction, i.e., towards the right side is RAO observed from the head side of the detected body M) is realized by rotating the arm holder 4 around the body axis of the detected body M. A base of the arm holder 4 (i.e., an end portion of the arm holder 4 opposite to the C-arm 1) is rotatably supported on a side surface of a telescopic arm 8, and a gear 9 is fixed close to the supporting face. The gear 9 is engaged with a pinion gear 10 mounted on an output shaft of a drive motor M2 disposed within the telescopic arm 8. The C-arm 1 is rotated around the body axis of the detected body M together with the arm holder 4 under the rotation effect of the drive motor M2. In addition, a rotary encoder R2 serves as the position detection unit capable of detecting the rotation direction and rotation amount of the drive motor M2.

Moreover, the telescopic arm 8 capable of extending or retracting up and down in an orthogonal direction of the body axis of the detected body M is held at a lower end portion of an L-shaped rotating arm 11. The other end of the rotating arm 11 is fixed on a rotator 12, and the rotator 12 is mounted while rotates on a rotating base 13 fixed on the ceiling of the inspection chamber where the X-ray photography device is placed. A drive motor M3 is adopted for driving the rotator 12 to rotate. Further, a rotary encoder R3 detects the position of the C-arm 1 in the surrounding space of the detected body M by detecting the rotation direction and rotation amount of the rotator 12.

The configuration of a control system dealing with every rotation is shown in FIG. 3. Similar portions as those in the control system shown in FIG. 7 are represented by the same symbols and the illustrations thereof will be omitted herein.

In the present invention, as for a target rotation information memory 40, in an additional operation board 30 for storing rotation information, display lamps 31 a-31 i are designed to be integrally formed with memory switches 30 a-30 i respectively, and are operated according to the rotation information selected through the memory switches 30 a-30 i. Moreover, in a SET switch 30 j for designating the action of the C-arm 1, a display lamp 31 j is also integrally formed with the corresponding memory switch.

A CPU 21 is employed to perform a turn-on control on these display lamps 31 a-31 j through a display control portion 24. Further, in this embodiment, the display lamps 31 a-31 j are designed to be integrally formed with the memory switches 31 a-31 j, and the display lamps 31 a-31 j may also be light-emitting diodes (LEDs) additionally disposed near the memory switches.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the processing performed before photographing. That is, the processing is illustrated according to the sequence that the target rotation information is stored in a storage area of the target rotation information memory 40 corresponding to each of the memory switches. In addition, the target rotation information described below is, for example, frequently used in the circumstance of a cardioangiographic examination as described in the prior art.

First, the mode for processing the target rotation information is set by operating a switch (not shown) in an operation board 20. Then, the target rotation information (including rotation directions and rotation angles) is set through the operation board 20. For example, referring to FIG. 8 of the prior art, the target rotation information is set as 30° in the CRAN direction and 30° in the LAO direction (Step S1). Here, the operation board 20 functions as an input unit of the present invention.

Next, the CPU 21 makes the corresponding display lamp 31 a of the memory switch 30 a in accordance with the set target rotation information flash on and off intermittently through the display control portion 24 (Step S2). Further, a specific rotation direction may be designated easily according to a set rotation angle, as long as a corresponding table between the rotation angles and the memory switches is established in advance, so as to facilitate designating a certain memory switch in accordance with the selected target rotation information.

In such a state, the memory switch for causing the lamp flashing on and off intermittently according to the target rotation information set in Step S1 is turned on. That is, the memory switch 30 a representing positions in the CRAN and LAO directions on the additional operation board 30 is turned on, and the process will proceed to Step S4 only by turning on the memory switch 30 a for causing the lamp flashing on and off intermittently (Step S3). Therefore, the operator may select the corresponding memory switch assuredly.

When the memory switch for causing the lamp flashing on and off intermittently is turned on, the CPU 21 changes the corresponding display lamp of the memory switch into a turn-on state (Step S4). Thus, it is easy to determine that the memory switch as a memory object has been selected.

After that, a set memory switch (not shown) on the operation board 20 is turned on to make the CPU 21 store the set target rotation information (CRAN 30°, LAO 30°) into the target rotation information memory 40 (Step S5). Here, the CPU 21 and the set memory switch serve as an operation unit of the present invention. In addition, even if the set memory switch is turned on, the storage operation will not be performed as long as the display lamp of the memory switch is not in a turn-on state in Step S4 (i.e., as long as the correct memory switch is not selected). Here, the CPU 21 serves as a read-in control unit of the present invention.

Finally, it is determined whether to end the setting to perform the processing separately (Step S6). Till now, eight pieces of target rotation information are remained to be set. Thus, return to Step S1 to continue the processing.

As described above, Steps S1 to S6 are repeated so as to store the target rotation information corresponding to each of the memory switches 30 b-30 i into the target rotation information memory 40.

In this embodiment, the CPU 21 and the display control portion 24 serve as a display control unit of the present invention.

Further, in this embodiment, the display lamp is changed from a state of flashing on and off intermittently into a turn-on state, and may also be changed from a turn-on state to a state of flashing on and off intermittently. Moreover, in addition to the above manner of turning on the set memory switch (not shown), the same purpose may be achieved by, for example, storing the target rotation information (CRAN 30°, LAO 30°) set by pressing and holding the memory switch 30 a for a fixed time or more (for example, 3 seconds or more) in Step S1 into the target rotation information memory 40 (Step S3).

Next, referring to FIG. 5, an X-ray photography processing is illustrated. First, the mode set for processing the target rotation information is relieved by operating a switch (not shown) in the operation board 20.

The photographer first selects and turns on the memory switch representing the position of the target rotation information from a group of memory switches 30 a-30 i disposed in the additional operation board 30 (Step U1).

The nine memory switches 30 a-30 i are arranged at positions on the additional operation board 30 in association with the rotation directions and rotation angles, so the switch stored with the required target rotation information can be easily selected. In particular, the situation in which the photographer intends to perform the photography in a state of (CRAN 30°, LAO 30°) (please refer to FIG. 8) is taken as an example for illustration. As shown in FIG. 3, the additional operation board 30 is provided with the memory switches 30 a-30 j. Thereby, the photographer may easily and rapidly determine the target rotation information with rotation angles in the CRAN and LAO directions in accordance with the memory switch 30 a by observing the additional operation board 30.

Next, the CPU 21 reads the corresponding target rotation information of the memory switch selected in Step U1 from the target rotation information memory 40. Specifically, the target rotation information (CRAN 30°, LAO 30°) (please refer to FIG. 8) corresponding to the memory switch 30 a is read from an address of the target rotation information memory 40. Then, the CPU 21 displays the read-out target rotation information on a display panel 22 through a display control portion 23. The display control portion 24 makes the corresponding display lamp 31 a of the memory switch 30 a flash on and off intermittently and makes the corresponding display lamp 31 j of the switch to be operated next, i.e., the SET switch 30 j, flash on and off intermittently (Step U2).

Afterward, the CPU 21 begins a rotation control by turning on the SET switch 30 j of the additional operation board 30, so as to make the read-out target rotation information in Step U2 consistent with the actual rotation information (Step U3). Therefore, even if the photographer presses the wrong memory switch, the C-arm 1 will not start rotating until the SET switch 30 j is turned on. In this manner, undesired rotations of the C-arm 1 are avoided, thus protecting the detected body M or the photographer. In addition, rotation control may be performed at the time when the corresponding memory switch is turned on.

The rotation control is performed in the following manner. That is, the CPU 21 drives the motor M1 to rotate in the CRAN direction, and performs the rotation control on the motor M1 with a rotation angle of 30° from the rotary encoder R1. Meanwhile, the CPU 21 also drives the motor M2 to rotate in the LAO direction, and performs the rotation control on the motor M2 with a rotation angle of 30° from the rotary encoder R2.

Further, a switch is disposed on the operation board 20. The switch performs a setting corresponding to the user's requirement for turning off the display lamp of the memory switch after the C-arm 1 arrives at the target position. Moreover, the following operation varies depending on the fact whether the above mode setting has been performed.

That is, the CPU 21 determines whether the mode for turning off the corresponding display lamp after the target position is arrived at has been set (Step U4). When the turn-off mode has not been set, Step U5 is performed to make the display lamp 31 a of the memory switch 30 a flash on and off intermittently until the target rotation information is consistent with the actual rotation information and turn on the corresponding display lamp 31 a of the memory switch 30 a at the time when the target rotation information is consistent with the actual rotation information (Step U5). As described above, after the target rotation information corresponding to the operated memory switch is stored, the memory switch to be operated subsequently during the routine processing is also easily known by keeping the corresponding display lamp of the memory switch in an ON state. Additionally, in this embodiment, the display lamp is switched from a state of flashing on and off intermittently to a turn-on state, and may also be switched from a turn-on state to a state of flashing on and off intermittently.

Moreover, when the turn-off mode has been set, the display lamp 31 a of the corresponding memory switch flashes on and off intermittently until the target rotation information is consistent with the actual rotation information, and the corresponding display lamp 31 a of the memory switch 30 a is turned off at the time when the target rotation information is consistent with the actual rotation information (Step U6).

Meanwhile, the corresponding display lamp 31 j of the SET switch 30 j also stops flashing and is turned off when the target rotation information is consistent with the actual rotation information. Thereby, it is apparent for the photographer whether the target rotation information is consistent with the actual rotation information.

Next, the CPU 21 controls a high voltage generation portion (not shown) to supply a high voltage required by an X-ray exposure to the X-ray tube 2, so as to perform the X-ray exposure to obtain an X-ray image from the X-ray detector 3 (Step U7).

Finally, it is determined whether to end the photography to perform the processing separately (Step U8). Here, the process returns to Step U1 to repeat the operations from Steps U1 to U8 as the photography in the remaining eight directions required by the cardioangiographic examination must be performed. During the repeated operations, the photography may easily select the target rotation information required next from the nine memory switches 30 a-30 i of the additional operation board 30, and thus the photography in multi-directions may be easily and rapidly performed.

Further, in this embodiment, each of the memory switches 30 a-30 i is designed to be a pressing switch, and may also be a touch memory switch, i.e., the switch is displayed on a touch screen of a liquid crystal display panel. Besides, a joystick capable of indicating multi-directions may also be arranged close to a central portion of the additional operation board 30, and a plurality of memory switches may be disposed inside the additional operation board 30 to detect the direction indicated by the joystick.

Moreover, in this embodiment, a cardioangiographic examination by photographing in nine directions is taken as an example for illustration. However, the photography can be performed in any direction as long as the memory switches and the display lamps corresponding thereto are arranged at positions associated with the rotation directions and rotation angles.

In addition, the X-ray photography device in the present invention is hung on the ceiling with the C-arm (the support unit). However, the X-ray photography device may also be configured with the C-arm mounted on the ground and rotating around the detected body. Further, the support unit is not limited to the C-arm.

Moreover, the X-ray detector 3 may also be an image intensifier 3 or an X-ray flat panel detector (FPD). The X-ray FPD is formed by combining a 2D thin-film transistor (TFT) array and X-ray conversion films such as semiconductors or scintillators.

In addition, a variation embodiment is given below. When the photographing function is adopted by several users, user identification switches (around three) are added in accordance with the users. For a user 1, the user identification switch 1 is selected, and for a user 3, the user identification switch 3 is selected. In this manner, areas of the target rotation information memory 40 at a number corresponding to the number of the user identification switches are also added.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to X-ray diagnosis in the medical industry.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. An X-ray photography device, adapted for performing X-ray photography in multi-directions of a detected body, the device comprising: a support unit, for supporting and making an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector face to face, and capable of rotating in rotation directions along and around a body axis of the detected body lying on a bed; a position detection unit, for detecting actual rotation information about the rotation directions and rotation angles related to positions of the support unit around the detected body; a plurality of memory switches, respectively arranged in association with the rotation directions; a target rotation information memory unit, for storing target rotation information about the rotation directions and the rotation angles as targets of the support unit corresponding to the memory switches respectively; display lamps, arranged in accordance with the memory switches respectively; a rotation control unit, for reading the target rotation information corresponding to the memory switches operated according to an operation on the memory switches from the target rotation information memory unit and controlling a rotation of the support unit, so as to make the actual rotation information from the position detection unit be consistent with the read-out target rotation information; and a display control unit, for driving the corresponding display lamp of the operated memory switch during the rotation control or when the actual rotation information is consistent with the target rotation information.
 2. The X-ray photography device according to claim 1, wherein: the display control unit changes a turn-on state of the display lamp when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information.
 3. The X-ray photography device according to claim 2, wherein: the display control unit performs a drive control during the rotation control to make the corresponding display lamp of the operated memory switch flash on and off intermittently or turned on, and performs a control to make the display lamp turned on or flash on and off intermittently when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information.
 4. The X-ray photography device according to claim 1, wherein: the display control unit comprises a drive selection unit for determining whether to drive the display lamp when the actual rotation information from the position detection unit is consistent with the target rotation information.
 5. The X-ray photography device according to claim 1, further comprising: an input unit, for inputting the target rotation information; and an operation unit, for storing the input target rotation information into the target rotation information memory unit respectively corresponding to the memory switches.
 6. The X-ray photography device according to claim 5, wherein: the display control unit drives the corresponding display lamp of the memory switch related to the target rotation information input by the input unit.
 7. The X-ray photography device according to claim 5, wherein: the display control unit changes the driven state of the display lamp when operating on the corresponding memory switch of the driven display lamp.
 8. The X-ray photography device according to claim 5, further comprising: a read-in control unit, for allowing the target rotation information memory unit to work only after the corresponding memory switch of the driven display lamp is operated.
 9. A method for operating an X-ray photography device, used to perform X-ray photography in multi-directions of a detected body, the method comprising: supporting and making an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector face to face, and operating any one of a plurality of memory switches respectively arranged in association with rotation directions of a support unit, wherein the support unit is capable of rotating in rotation directions along and around a body axis of the detected body lying on a bed; reading target rotation information corresponding to the operated memory switch from a target rotation information memory unit, wherein the target rotation information memory unit is pre-stored with actual rotation information about the rotation directions and rotation angles of the support unit corresponding to the memory switches; controlling a rotation of the support unit, so as to make the actual rotation information from a position detection unit be consistent with the read-out target rotation information, wherein the position detection unit is used for detecting the actual rotation information of the support unit; and driving a display lamp corresponding to the operated memory switch during the rotation control or when the actual rotation information is consistent with the target rotation information, wherein display lamps are arranged in accordance with the memory switches respectively. 